Hyundai Motor ready to ramp up testing at Nurburgring

Tower of Hyundai's new Nurburgring workshop with observation deck on top.

Hyundai Motor ready to ramp up testing at Nürburgring

- New European Test Centre officially opened at iconic Nürburgring location

- Hyundai Motor invests more than €6,6 million in its new facility

- Purpose-built site to conduct more accelerated durability tests

Sept. 13, 2013 - Hyundai Motor has officially opened its brand new European Test Centre at the Nürburgring in Germany, the company’s latest investment in its regional infrastructure. An opening ceremony marked the completion of the €6,62 million purpose-built vehicle testing facility, boosting the brand’s R&D operations in Europe.

The company’s new test centre provides a decent iconic Nürburgring circuit with a full-time presence, allowing it to further evaluate and develop the durability and driving dynamics of its vehicles more effectively and more often.

Construction of the striking 3.622 m2 Hyundai Motor’s European Test Centre began in June 2012 and was completed in less than 15 months. The unique glass and steel building houses workshops, office spaces and hospitality areas over four floors. The Nürburgring facility is an extension of Hyundai’s European R&D centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, where the brand’s European design and engineering teams have been based since 2003.

Reflective metal exterior of Hyundai's new Nurburgring workshop, which is adjacent to track's starting line.

Hyundai’s ‘accelerated durability tests’ are conducted from the European Test Centre. Each car taking part in the tests laps the Nürburgring 480 times in both dry and wet conditions, simulating up to 180.000 km of severe driving in less than six weeks.

Throughout each lap, data parameters are continually monitored, assessing steering input and vehicle course, suspension movement, and ride and handling characteristics. The results are given directly to the vehicle development team based at the circuit, enabling Hyundai’s engineers to quickly make changes and tailor cars’ characteristics to the demands of European drivers.

Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe commented: “The Nürburgring is a unique challenge for any vehicle, so it is the perfect location for our new facility. The new European Test Centre is a natural extension of our Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, and enables Hyundai Motor to more quickly and more accurately test the reliability and drivability of our vehicles. The emotional appeal of being ‘tested at Nürburgring’ will also help to further build the brand’s reputation across Europe.”

The Nürburgring is widely recognised as one of the most challenging tracks in the world, with 73 corners – 33 left and 40 right – spread across 20,8 kilometres of tarmac. With a difference in height of almost 300 metres between highest and lowest points, it features uphill and downhill gradients of 17 and 11 per cent respectively.

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About Hyundai Motor Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai Motor Group, with more than two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Hyundai Motor - which has seven manufacturing bases outside of South Korea including Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, India, Russia, Turkey and the U.S. - sold 4,4 million vehicles globally in 2012. Hyundai Motor, which employs over 80.000 worldwide, offers a full line-up of products including small to large passenger vehicles, SUVs and commercial vehicles.

Further information about Hyundai Motor and its products is available at www.hyundai.com.

About Hyundai Motor Europe The company designs, engineers and manufactures cars in Europe, specifically for European consumers. In 2012, Hyundai achieved European sales of 444.000 units, taking a new-car market share of 3,5%. Almost 95% of the vehicles Hyundai sells in the region are designed, engineered and tested in Europe. And more than 70% are built at its two local factories (Czech Republic and Turkey), including New Generation i30, which was shortlisted for Europe’s 2013 Car of the Year award and has won 14 awards throughout the region. Hyundai sells cars in 28 European countries across 2.500 outlets.

Hyundai offers its unique, Europe-only, Five Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty package with all new cars sold in the region, providing customers with a five-year warranty with no mileage limit, five years of roadside assistance and five years of vehicle health checks.

More information about Hyundai Motor Europe and its products is available at www.hyundai.com/eu.